The Difference Between Waterproof, Water-Resistant, and Water Repellent

Last updated: 23 February 2026

 

The terms waterproof, water resistant, and water repellent are often used close together, which makes it easy to assume they offer roughly the same level of protection. In reality, they suit very different situations. 

In the UK, we all know the weather has a mind of its own. You head out under bright skies, only to find yourself reaching for a hood twenty minutes later. Or you check the forecast, see a small cloud icon, and debate whether it is worth grabbing your waterproof jacket anyway. 

So how do you accurately match your outdoor clothing to your outdoor plans? Understanding the difference between waterproof vs water resistant can go a long way to helping you make the right choices. Because if you can get to grips with what each type of clothing is offering, you can know when and which to pick to make the most of your time outdoors.

 

Key Takeaways

• Water repellent clothing has a surface coating that causes rain to bead and run off, but has no waterproof membrane and is only effective in light, brief showers
• Water resistant clothing offers a step up in protection and can handle light to moderate rain, but will eventually let water through in heavy or prolonged rainfall
• Waterproof clothing has a membrane built into the fabric, taped seams, and reinforced zips to keep water out in more sustained, heavy rain
• Hydrostatic head (HH) ratings tell you how waterproof a jacket or garment is, measured in millimetres
• Breathability is an important factor alongside waterproofing, as it determines how well moisture (sweat) can escape from inside the garment

Waterproof vs Water Resistant vs Water Repellent

Let’s take a look at the definitions of each term, and how it fits into your life outdoors. 

 

Water-Repellent

Water-repellent clothing gives you a basic layer of protection from wet weather. It’s not fully waterproof, but it will help you stay dry in light, very short bursts of rain.

You might have seen the term ‘DWR finish’ on a list of features when shopping for your outdoor clothing. It stands for Durable Water Repellent, and it’s a coating that causes water to bead on the fabric’s surface, subsequently running off instead of soaking in immediately. But because there’s no waterproof membrane underneath and the seams aren’t sealed, that finish won’t hold up in steady or heavy rain. 

So, will it keep you dry?

Yes, but only if it’s spitting rain or you’re just dashing from one place to the next. 

For example, you might choose a water repellent jacket or trousers when:

• You're hiking in spring or summer and you don't expect rain, but there's a chance of the odd shower
• You want something to keep in the car for when you're nipping out to the shops or running errands

The water repellency tends to be there as a back-up rather than the main feature.

Good examples of this type of jacket include the Regatta Professional Mens Navigate Hooded Softshell Jacket and the Regatta Professional Womens Ablaze Printable Softshell Jacket.

 

Water-Resistant

Water resistant clothing gives you a step up in protection from water repellent, but it's still not fully waterproof.

In practice, that means it'll hold off light to moderate rain, but will eventually let water through if you're out for a long time or the conditions get worse. The seams may not always be sealed, so water can still seep in through stitching or zips, and, similar to water repellent clothing, there's no waterproof membrane doing the main job.

So, again the big question is: will it keep you dry?

Yes, if the rain isn't too heavy and you're not spending the whole day outside.

Water resistant is often thought of as the peace-of-mind option for outdoor clothing. If the weather doesn't hold out, like it so often doesn't here in the UK, you get enough rain protection to keep going for a while or to make it back inside without needing a full outfit change.

A good example here is the Trespass Mens Oskar Padded Water Resistant Jacket  (above) which gives you that reassuring layer of protection without the full waterproofing spec.

 

Waterproof

A waterproof jacket or pair of walking boots is specifically designed to keep water out of the fabric in wet weather. Sounds simple, but the main difference between waterproof vs water resistant is that very notion: waterproof will keep you dry in rain, whereas water resistant will keep you dry - with a time limit.

However, that’s not to say all waterproof jackets offer the same level of protection. This is where hydrostatic head ratings come into play, which we’ll discuss in a moment.

Waterproofing tends to be part of the garment’s main function. Without it, the jacket or boots or trousers or even socks wouldn’t be able to do what they are intended to do. Because if you choose something waterproof, it’s usually because you know you’ll be out in steady rain for hours, and you need consistent weather protection that you can count on.

You might have seen branded waterproof technologies, such as:

• Gore-Tex®: a breathable waterproof membrane used in high-performance outdoor gear
• AquaDry: Craghoppers’ waterproof and breathable technology
• Hydroshell: Berghaus’ version, used across jackets and trousers
• Tres-Tex: Trespass’ waterproof membrane for active outdoor wear
• Isotex: Regatta’s waterproof fabric that comes in different levels, often with added stretch or breathability.

So what makes a piece of outdoor clothing or footwear waterproof?

Vitally, the item must be impervious to water. That’s the key characteristic, and it’s achieved through features such as:

• A waterproof membrane built into the fabric
• Taped seams around the stitching
• Zips are often reinforced with storm flaps
• The DWR finish we mentioned before

All these features work together to make sure that water cannot get through the jacket, whether that’s through the main fabric itself or any of the sides and crevices. Waterproofing works on a spectrum, from low-performance everyday jackets to technical, highly waterproof jackets that will keep you dry even in snow or prolonged rain.

Craghoppers Women’s Caldbeck II Waterproof Jacket

 

 

Waterproof vs Water Resistant vs Water Repellent: A Quick Comparison

 

Feature	Waterproof	Water Resistant	Water Repellent
Suitable for heavy or sustained rain	Yes - with some caveats	No	No
Suitable for light showers or drizzle	Yes	Yes	Yes - with some caveats
High level of water protection	Yes	No	No
Taped seams	Yes	Not always	No
DWR-treated fabric	Yes	Yes	Yes
Waterproof membrane	Yes	No	No

A side-by-side look at the difference between waterproof, water resistant, and water repellent in outdoor clothing

 

What are Hydrostatic Head Ratings?

You’ll sometimes see a number like 5,000mm or 10,000mm listed in the product details for a waterproof jacket. That’s the hydrostatic head rating, and it’s the easiest way to get a sense of how waterproof something really is.

Hydrostatic head (HH) tells you how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before it starts to let water through.

It's tested in a lab by placing a column of water on the fabric and measuring how high that column can go, in millimetres, before water leaks through. So a jacket with a 5,000mm HH rating should hold back a 5-metre column of water before any gets through.

Rain certainly has its range in the UK: April showers, heavy rainstorms, that misty, damp weather that seems to soak into your skin, alongside a typical grey cloud rainy day. Clothing responds to these conditions based on how it is made, from surface treatments to internal layers and construction details. When those features align with the conditions, staying dry is easy. When they do not, the difference becomes obvious very quickly!

And, importantly, rain tends to behave differently depending on factors such as weather, movement, and duration. 

For example, a brief shower places very different demands on clothing compared to steady rainfall driven by wind. Add in active walking or carrying a backpack on your shoulders, and the pressure on fabric increases further. That is why some jackets, like those with high HH ratings, will be great for your long days outdoors, while others will only suit shorter spells where other features take priority.

 

Rating (mm)	Protection Level
1,500–5,000	Entry-level waterproof. Fine for very light rain and short showers.
5,000–10,000	Good for moderate rain and everyday wear.
10,000–20,000	High-performance waterproofing. Better suited for heavy, sustained rain and active use.
20,000+	Extreme weather protection (skiing, mountaineering, very wet conditions over long periods).

An easy reference for understanding hydrostatic head ratings for waterproof jackets.

 

What is Breathability?

When considering whether to go waterproof or water resistant, you might have also wondered how breathability plays its part. 

Breathable fabrics let moisture vapour (like sweat) escape, so you don’t get that heavy, clammy sort of feeling. It’s all about allowing airflow throughout the garment, keeping you cool.

You’ll often see breathability measured in grams, such as 5,000g or 10,000g/m²/24h. That’s how much vapour can pass through a square metre of fabric in 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable the fabric.

Not all waterproof clothing is breathable, and not all breathable clothing is waterproof. However, all the two are technically different, they tend to have a co-dependency within outdoor clothing; particularly that used for active sports or during humid weather. As when you’re moving a lot or you’re wearing layers, as is the golden rule of outdoor wear, you want to maintain that airflow so you don’t overheat as you go about your day.

Waterproof + breathability = clothing that will keep you dry and coolly comfortable.

 

 

Waterproof vs Water Resistant: FAQ

What’s better, waterproof or water resistant?

For most outdoor activities in the UK, waterproof is the safer choice. Water resistant has its place, particularly for mild days where you want a lighter jacket and rain isn't expected, but if there's any chance the weather could turn, a waterproof jacket gives you much greater confidence. British weather being what it is, you'll rarely regret going for the higher level of protection!

Is a 10,000mm waterproof rating enough?

For most people doing most things outdoors in the UK, yes. A 10,000mm rating handles moderate to heavy rain well and is the sweet spot for hiking, walking, and general outdoor use. You'd typically only need to go above that for skiing, mountaineering, or extended exposure in very heavy rain over several hours.

 

How do I choose the right waterproof jacket for my outdoor activity?

Think about three things: the conditions you'll be in, how active you'll be, and how long you'll be outside. For a gentle country walk in changeable weather, a mid-range waterproof jacket around 5,000–10,000mm will do the job. For long mountain hikes or skiing, go higher on both the waterproof and breathability ratings. 

And if you're unsure, we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction, so please feel free to get in touch if we can offer a hand.

 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, we hope those grey clouds are a little clearer now! 

In summary, waterproof and water resistant are often used side by side, yet they describe different approaches to dealing with rain. The distinction lies in:

• How the fabrics are constructed
• How much water they can withstand
• How they perform over time when conditions stay wet.

Knowing how these categories differ helps you match your clothing to your plans, and get you outdoors and enjoying yourself!

 

Need a new waterproof jacket for hiking, skiing, or any other outdoor activity? We’ve got plenty to choose from, with options for the whole family.

 

About the Author

Tom, proud resident of Chapel-en-le-Frith (aka the ‘Capital of the High Peak,’ as he loves to remind everyone), is a dad of two who spends his weekends ferrying the kids between football and dance class, occasionally sneaking in a peaceful walk around Fernilee Reservoir. When the family escapes to their coastal hideaway in Anglesey, he trades in the football boots for paddleboards and fishing rods, though his true passion lies in building the ultimate sandcastle. On the Avenue 85 blog, Tom shares his outdoor tips (and the occasional dad joke) with a down-to-earth approach that’ll make you feel like part of the family.